Do I have to declare liquids, aerosols and gels at Germany customs?

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

What happens if I do not declare liquids, aerosols and gels in Germany?

If you declare the excess yourself, a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. The normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Abgabenordnung, § 375 Absatz 2 Satz 1, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated.

Can I post or ship liquids, aerosols and gels to Germany instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you is outside this allowance.

Can I take liquids, aerosols and gels out of Germany?

Germany publishes no separate rule for taking liquids, aerosols and gels out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Germany limit for liquids, aerosols and gels apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

Generalzolldirektion (German Customs Administration) states it in Zoll online - Reisefreimengen. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does Germany compare with other countries on liquids, aerosols and gels?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit liquids, aerosols and gels, 13 limit it and 7 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

How many liquids, aerosols and gels can I bring into Germany?

Official classification: Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs)

Allowed

You can bring liquids, aerosols and gels into Germany without a special limit.

Carried Allowed

Declaration Not required

Limit 430 EUR

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 430 EUR
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Air France	Stricter than the standard rule
British Airways	More permissive

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Zoll online - Reisefreimengen Generalzolldirektion

Questions about Liquids, aerosols and gels in Germany

How many liquids, aerosols and gels can I bring into Germany?: Germany publishes no quantity limit for liquids, aerosols and gels carried by a traveller. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare liquids, aerosols and gels at Germany customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare liquids, aerosols and gels in Germany?: If you declare the excess yourself, a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. The normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Abgabenordnung, § 375 Absatz 2 Satz 1, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated.
Can I post or ship liquids, aerosols and gels to Germany instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you is outside this allowance.
Can I take liquids, aerosols and gels out of Germany?: Germany publishes no separate rule for taking liquids, aerosols and gels out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Germany limit for liquids, aerosols and gels apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Generalzolldirektion (German Customs Administration) states it in Zoll online - Reisefreimengen. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does Germany compare with other countries on liquids, aerosols and gels?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit liquids, aerosols and gels, 13 limit it and 7 let it through. Germany is among the ones that set a limit.

Related countries

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Quick facts

Jurisdiction: Germany
Travel mode: Rail

Freshness

Last verified: 2026-09-19
Next review: 2026-12-17

Destination

DE Germany

All Germany rules

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